Speech by CS at Celebration of the Roof-raising of the Xiqu Centre of West Kowloon Cultural District (with photos/video)
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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Celebration of the Roof-raising of the Xiqu Centre of the West Kowloon Cultural District today (May 16):

I will now say a few words in English. Welcome to the roof-raising ceremony for the Xiqu Centre to celebrate an important milestone in the delivery of this project. The approximately 2 400-tonne steel structure of the main theatre has already been lifted to its final position. This milestone marks the countdown to the completion of the construction works of the Xiqu Centre in 2017. The Xiqu Centre will become the first landmark performing arts venue in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Upon its opening in 2018, it will bring to the public a main theatre with 1 100 seats, a tasteful tea house theatre, arts education and rehearsal facilities, and a spacious Xiqu Plaza.

Alongside the construction of the Xiqu Centre, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority has organised a wide variety of programmes to drive the artistic and professional development and enhance audience-building. The successful "Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera" series will return this August. We are very honoured to have Mr Law Ka-ying as the curator again to lead the performances of selected Cantonese opera talents and rising stars of previous years. I have high hopes that the series will give these rising stars opportunities to shine onstage and pass on the tradition of the Xiqu art form.

As Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, I would like to thank the project team for their hard work, as well as the arts and cultural sector for its unfailing support. Let's work together to take Cantonese opera to the next level and to the global stage through the Xiqu Centre. Thank you very much.